Harper's Weekly, New York, 9th November, 1864.
My Dear Charles,
— Let us thank God and the people for this crowning mercy. I did not know how
my mind and heart were strained until I felt myself sinking in the great waters
of this triumph. We knew it ought to be; we knew that, bad as we have been, we
did not deserve to be put out like a mean candle in its own refuse; but it is
never day until the dawn. I do not yet know whether Seymour is elected. I hope
not, for while he is in power this grand State is a base for rebel operations;
and he is put in power, if at all, by those who would make any honorable
government impossible. My heart sank as I stood among drunkards and the worst
men, yesterday morning, to vote; but it sank deeper when I saw Aaron L., and
others like him, voting to give those drunkards the power of the government. I
have prepared a very small sermon upon Political Infidelity, for what infidels
such men are to themselves and to mankind!
I am defeated, of course, and by a very heavy majority. In
my own county my vote would have been largest of all the Union candidates if my
name could have been sent to the soldiers, as the governor's was. As it is, he
is some twenty before me. But Fernando Wood and James Brooks are defeated — God
be praised! I have never been deceived about myself, but I am forever glad that
my name was associated with this most memorable day.
Yours most affectionately,
G. W. C.
SOURCE: Edward Cary, George William Curtis, p.
184-5
No comments:
Post a Comment